France’s high court issues pro-marriage equality ruling

France’s high court ruled that mayors in France do not have the right to deny LGBT couples from marrying. The decision was made on October 18 and stated that religious or moral beliefs are not excuses.

With the five-page ruling, the decision was made that, “Freedom of conscience is not violated by the officiating of weddings” and that officials must “apply the law and guarantee the proper functioning and neutrality of the civil service.”